1988 BMW 5 Series tire and wheel sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure

Bolt pattern 5x120 on every 1988 trim.

Tires for the 1988 BMW 5 Series

Sizes most trims come with first. Open your trim below for its exact size.

205/65R15 Best-rated standard on 6 trims · Europe, Japan

Check price on Amazon · 205/65R15
195/70R14 Best-rated standard on 3 trims · USA

Check price on Amazon · 195/70R14
225/60R15 Best-rated standard on 1 trim · optional on 5 · Europe, Japan

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15

Also listed: 225/50R16 235/45R17 195/65R15 245/40R18

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Trims sold in 1988: 12
Generations: III (E34)II (E28) sold in 3 market versions
Other years: 1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
All years (1972–2026)

12 trims sold in 1988

Sold in 3 market versions with different tire sizes. Open a trim for its tire and rim sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure. Trims with the same tires and wheels share a row.

BMW 5 Series III (E34)

1988–1997 8 trims

Europe

6 trims

5 Series 520i +2 variants 127 hp · M20B20 I6 205/65R15 94V 4 fitments

Same tires and wheels on: 524td, 525i

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: Europe
Power: 127 hp
Engine: M20B20 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 205/65R15 Wheels 15x6.5 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x6.5 ET20 5x120	29 psi
195/65R15 91H	Rim 15x6.5 ET20 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 91V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
225/60R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi

How to read 94V: 94 is the load index (up to 1,477 lb / 670 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h). ET20 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres. Compare offsets in the wheel offset calculator.

5 Series 530i +1 variant 185 hp · M30B30 I6 205/65R15 91V 4 fitments

Same tires and wheels on: 535i

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: Europe
Power: 185 hp
Engine: M30B30 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 205/65R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
205/65R15 91V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
195/65R15 91H	Rim 15x6.5 ET20 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x6.5 ET20 5x120	29 psi
225/60R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi

How to read 91V: 91 is the load index (up to 1,356 lb / 615 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h). ET20 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

5 Series M5 311 hp · S38B36 I6 235/45R17 93Z 2 fitments

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: Europe
Power: 311 hp
Engine: S38B36 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 235/45R17 Wheels 17x9 ET22 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
235/45R17 93Z	Rim 17x9 ET22 5x120	39 psi
245/40R18 93Z	Rim 18x9 ET22 5x120	39 psi

Japan

2 trims

5 Series 525i (E-H25) 168 hp · I6 205/65R15 91V 1 fitment

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: Japan
Power: 168 hp
Engine: I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 205/65R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
205/65R15 91V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi

5 Series 535i (E-H35) 208 hp · I6 225/60R15 94V 1 fitment

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: Japan
Power: 208 hp
Engine: I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/60R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi

BMW 5 Series II (E28)

1981–1988 USA 4 trims

5 Series 528e 127 hp · 2.7L M20B27 I6 195/70R14 91H 1 fitment

Generation: E28 · 1981–1988
Market: USA
Power: 127 hp
Engine: 2.7L M20B27 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 195/70R14 Wheels 14x6 ET22 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
195/70R14 91H	Rim 14x6 ET22 5x120	29 psi

How to read 91H: 91 is the load index (up to 1,356 lb / 615 kg per tire) and H the speed rating (up to 130 mph / 210 km/h). ET22 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

5 Series 535i +1 variant 180 hp · 3.5L M30B34 I6 195/70R14 91V 2 fitments

Same tires and wheels on: 535is

Generation: E28 · 1981–1988
Market: USA
Power: 180 hp
Engine: 3.5L M30B34 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 195/70R14 Wheels 14x6.5 ET22 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
195/70R14 91V	Rim 14x6.5 ET22 5x120	29 psi
195/70R14 91H	Rim 14x6 ET22 5x120	29 psi

How to read 91V: 91 is the load index (up to 1,356 lb / 615 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h). ET22 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

5 Series M5 256 hp · 3.5L S38B35 I6 225/50R16 92V 1 fitment

Generation: E28 · 1981–1988
Market: USA
Power: 256 hp
Engine: 3.5L S38B35 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/50R16 Wheels 16x7.5 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/50R16 92V	Rim 16x7.5 ET20 5x120	32 psi

How to read 92V: 92 is the load index (up to 1,389 lb / 630 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h). ET20 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

What these columns mean

Rim size: Rim diameter × width in inches, and the factory offset (ET) in millimetres, e.g. 18x7.5 ET25.
Bolt pattern (PCD): Number of studs and the diameter of the circle they sit on. It must match exactly.
Center bore: Diameter of the hub hole. Larger aftermarket bores need hub-centric rings.
Pressure: Recommended cold inflation pressure for that axle, in psi.
Thread size: Lug bolt or nut thread — needed when buying aftermarket fasteners.